Top 10 Biggest Comebacks in Music History

When it comes to the biggest comebacks in music history, we're talking about artists who have faced serious lows - career setbacks, personal challenges, or industry changes - and still managed to make it back to the top. These are the musicians who, for whatever reason, seemed like they might never reclaim their former glory. And yet, against all odds, they did just that, often coming back stronger than ever.

Some artists fought through personal struggles, like addiction or mental health battles, and returned to the charts with new albums that reignited their careers. Others had to reinvent themselves after a change in band members, a public scandal, or a long absence from the spotlight. What makes these comebacks so fascinating is the sheer determination and resilience needed to turn things around, especially in an industry where fame can be fleeting and the next big thing is always just around the corner.
The Top Ten
Mariah Carey's comeback in 2005 after a failed movie and album
AC/DC's comeback in 1980 by getting a new vocalist after Bon Scott's death

After the death of their vocalist, Bon Scott, they hired Brian Johnson, who helped them make their biggest, best, and highest-selling album ever - Back in Black, which contains some of the best songs in their catalog! I'm not saying Brian is better than Bon, but that's just amazing!

Bon died, and in the same year, they came out with Back in Black - 49 million records sold.

The same year they lost Bon, AC/DC created one of the top ten selling albums of all time and became one of the greatest bands ever.

The Allman Brothers Band's comeback after losing Duane Allman in 1971 and Berry Oakley in 1972

For them to push on after Duane's wreck had to be painful. And then, Berry Oakley dies almost exactly one year later, also in a motorcycle accident! These guys are legendary!

Led Zeppelin's comeback with a reunion concert in 2007
Britney Spears' comeback with the Circus tour in 2009 after her 2007 breakdown
Queen's comeback by getting a new vocalist, performing with Adam Lambert from 2011 onwards
Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith's comeback to Iron Maiden in 2000
Aerosmith's comeback in 1987 after overcoming drug and alcohol addictions
D'erlanger's comeback after 17 years, reuniting in 2007

Seventeen years is very long. Craze disbanded, Die in Cries disbanded, and they came back again to prove to everybody that they are legends.

KYO (Isono Hiroshi), SEELA (Nakao Tomohiro), CIPHER (Ichiro Takigawa), and TETSU Kikuchi reunited and released the album Lazzaro.

Guns N' Roses' comeback album Chinese Democracy in 2008 after 14 years

Guns N' Roses is still alive, kicking, and rocking with Chinese Democracy!

The Newcomers

? Miley Cyrus' comeback with Younger Now in 2017 after her controversial image in 2013
? Kesha's comeback with the album Rainbow in 2017 after Dr. Luke lawsuit
The Contenders
Maroon 5's comeback with Moves Like Jagger in 2011
Ozzy Osbourne's comeback as a solo artist in 1980 after being fired from Black Sabbath
The Eagles' comeback in 1994 after splitting up in 1980

Legendary comeback with the album When Hell Freezes Over. After one of the band members said the band would come back together when hell freezes over.

Ozzy Osbourne's comeback after Randy Rhoads' death in 1982
Eminem's comeback with the album Relapse in 2009 after rehab for drug addiction
Robert Plant's comeback as a solo artist in 1982 after Led Zeppelin's breakup
The Smashing Pumpkins' comeback in 2005 after a seven-year breakup
Metallica's comeback after losing Cliff Burton in 1986
Santana's comeback with the album Supernatural in 1999

Best comeback ever, period. The album is great too, and I think everybody should give it a listen.

And to think that since that comeback, he still rocks the house to this very day (2021). That's the stuff of rock and roll history.
- Its Joeysworld

Cher's comeback with Believe in 1998

Everybody thought Cher was a has-been, and then she became the oldest female with a #1 single on the Hot 100 at age 52. Believe it!

The Who's comeback after the death of drummer Keith Moon in 1978
Black Sabbath's comeback with the album 13 in 2013
Meat Loaf's comeback with Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell in 1993
Justin Bieber's comeback with the album Purpose in 2015

It really was the biggest comeback album in my opinion because, let's be honest, Purpose was a great album. It was after this that not only young teen girls, but also adults, started loving his music. He brought hits like What Do You Mean? and Sorry. During those bad boy days, when people thought he was a lost cause, he proved everyone wrong, and the whole world started loving him. Even haters turned into Beliebers. Really proud of him.

Green Day's comeback with American Idiot in 2004
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